The Puffer Forum

I've been perusing the site for a bit, but finally purchased a GSP today. However "Bubbles", as my daughter calls him, is still sitting in the LFS as I wait the arrival of a new tank to replace the one smashed in my recent move. I was mostly into FW aquaria and was prepping a dwarf tank before my life got turned upside down 2 years ago, but I'm back in the business and have decided to go brackish. I wanted to get some feedback as to what I should replace and anything extra I should get to make "Bubbles" life more comfortable. Aside from a 32 US gal tank on the way, I currently have an AquaClear 200 Power Filter, a double fluorescent canopy, a 150W Heater and a surplus 50W Heater (neither are submersible) and a large assortment of plastic plants and decorations. Also, how should I cycle the tank before introducing him? I've had someone recommend I dump in a bottle of Cycle and wait overnight, others seem to rave about BioSpira (which I haven't seen in any LFS). Last time I cycled a tank I used Danios, but I don't want to go that way.

Well, that's enough questions for now. Glad to join the puffer keepers community!

Cycle is useless. Biospira is the only one that contains the correct live bacteria you need. If you can't find Biospira, you should do a fishless cycle. Great article on it here:
http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... hless.html

BTW, welcome!

I second Boxermom's thoughts, avoid cycle or any of the other instant cycle products...the exception being biospira, and I would only use it if it was in the fridge at the store, or if you cant find it...order it on line. Being Canadian, we cannot get biospira locally, (and I am not keen on ordering anything alive via the mail, especially something you cannot tell if it is dead when it arrives), I generally go with using ammonia to fish-less cycle a tank, quicker than using fish, and ready to handle heavier bio-load when its done.

Hi GunSmoke! Welcome to the community! Looking forward to updates on your GSP.

Welcome aboard!

Not sure where to post this, but for any fellow Canuckians who want BioSpira, I think I've found an answer.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/biosp02.htm
Seems they ship from a distribution center somewhere in Canada, and provide a free ice pack with delivery.
Gonna give this a try.

If you can't find B-S, then read the fishless cycling article in our Library.

It looks like its free shipping also. Let us know how it goes.

Welcome Bud

welcome to the forums...I also just started an adventure with a GSP

For one GSP in a 30gal tank, what kind of GPH should I be aiming for? My AquaClear HOB pushes out about 150gph. However, I really want to replace it because it occasionally leaks through the lid. Unhappy landlord it makes when 2 gallons have seeped through the floor into the garage...

Its always good to have over filtration. do you plan on staying with the HOB style?

I'm looking at canister filters. Fluval 204, 304 or Filstar XP1. Kinda pricy, though they're all on sale RIGHT NOW. I can save about $40(CAD) if I go for the 204, but it'll give me 180gph instead of the 250gph the others push out. Just wondering if 180gph is enough or if I should go for broke.

Rena baby!

kass wrote:It looks like its free shipping also. Let us know how it goes.

Free it definately ain't. Over $45 to ship 9oz of Bio-Spira overnight.

I've found a shop that'll repair my damaged tank for $50, so I don't have to wait for the new tank to show up. So I'm gonna try a fishless cycle. Gonna keep a log too, see how well it goes. That way I'll be sure it's ready for Bubbles without him spending much more time at the LFS.

Another question: I found out the LFS is using FW Aquarium Salt, not Marine Salt in their puffer tanks. Not to mention they don't seem to keep track of salinity either. How should I go about adjusting the water so Bubbles doesn't go into shock?